Gurley and Whitworth can change Rams fortunes in 2017

Look for two key players to emerge as leaders for the Los Angeles Rams in 2017. One who is rebounding from a slump, and another who knows what veteran leadership can mean for a young football team.

Los Angeles Rams fans wondering who to look at beginning this weekend should keep two names in mind, and they are both on offense: Todd Gurley and Andrew Whitworth.

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It’s simple math folks.

Gurley is looking to rebound from the disastrous and disappointing season that was 2016.

Whitworth is a guy who will emerge as a leader on the offensive line and a leader of the Rams.

Both are desperately needed by a team already teetering given the current state of the Los Angeles defense, specifically Aaron Donald.

Gurley he was mired in a slump that affected everything on the offensive side of the football last year.

As for Whitworth, well, if General Manager Les Snead needed an unassuming ‘base knock’ this season, he’ll find it in this offensive lineman. He’s the kind of free agent signing that will have flown under the radar, yet yields huge results.

It’s just what the Rams needed in 2017.

I like both to impact the Rams in a way that was missing last season.

For Gurley, the reports that he’s running “violent” indicates that Todd has something to prove.

He does.

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He knows that one good season versus one bad and one of a garden variety nature does no good for a running back looking to silence the critics. 2017 is lining up for him. Making him part of the game plan versus ‘THE GAME PLAN’ serves him better.

Last season was one where it would be all or nothing. He won’t have that this year.

As for Whitworth, he’s the veteran that the media already gravitates towards for the quote that lines up their Rams coverage. Few, if any on such a young team have the gravitas of natural leadership ability.

Whitworth has that, and this team needs it.

On and off the field, that’ll help them late in a long NFL season.

Both Gurley and Whitworth are the kind of players the Rams will look to in 2017. Both with something to prove, and both looking for a season befitting of their already earned reputation.